(The Center Square) - Despite Virginia teacher salaries continuing to rise, many school districts are reporting teacher shortages as students return to class for the 2022-2023 school year. During the 2022 biennial budget negotiations, lawmakers agreed to raise teacher salaries by 10% over two years - 5% during the first budget year and another 5% in the second year.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - Albemarle County teachers and staff are being recognized for the difference they make for students. A division-wide convocation was held at the Ting Pavilion Tuesday, August 16. "We make a difference everyday with the work we do.

BRISTOL, Va. - Students return to the classrooms in Bristol Virginia Wednesday. Open houses were held Monday night at schools across the city so families and teachers could meet and prepare for the new year. Instructor Dana Rasnick was preparing her Van Pelt Elementary classroom Monday, in anticipation of her 35 th year of teaching.

STAUNTON - In the basement of Shelburne Middle School, hidden away from the students, is the Staunton City Schools' maintenance shop. It's a cramped space that was never meant to be a permanent home for the maintenance staff. In the early 1970s, it was actually an industrial arts classroom for the school.

Schools were on Gov. Youngkin's mind Tuesday in Williamsburg - where Virginia's schools could go and how a Department of Justice that ordered a search of former President Donald Trump's home had treated Loudoun County parents who protested school board actions there.

HOPEWELL, Va. (WWBT) - Hopewell City Public Schools is making changes to its lockdown and evacuation strategies in the event of an active shooter. In light of what happened in Uvalde, Texas - Hopewell Schools says it will no longer have all students go into lockdown if there was an active shooter incident.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - In one week, on Tuesday, August 23, a proposed policy regarding cell phones will be voted on during the Virginia Beach School Board meeting. Under the proposed policy, cell phones will not be permitted to be used during instructional hours; however, students will be permitted to have their phones with them at school.

FBI Richmond recently congratulated Floyd Elementary School for having teachers and students consistently participate in the FBI's Safe Online Surfing Internet Challenge last school year. FES and Linkhorne Middle School in Lynchburg were recognized for the accomplishment by Special Agent in Charge Stanley M. Meador at the beginning of August.

The Richmond Education Association is set to begin its initial contract negotiations with the school district next month. Last December, the Richmond School Board became the first in the state to grant collective bargaining rights to its teachers and staff.

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - While some students are already back in the classroom, other schools around Central Virginia are gearing up to head back for another year of learning. To help get you ready for the 2022-23 school year, NBC12 will have two specials for parents and educators on our website and streaming services.